Driving mechanism



Febogp. F. LENDER DRIVING MECHANISM Filedquly 5o, 1931.

E El. L i n, f/ 4. l, w .ml/

E@ mm A d Y B Patented Feb.` 1936 DRIVING MECHANISM Francis Linder, East Orange, N. J., assigner to Eclipse 'Aviation Corporation,

East Orange,

N. I., a corporation of New Jersey Application :111130,1931, semi No. 554.0583 1s claims. (c1. isz-45) Thisinvention relates to clutches o f the class frequently called overrunning clutches which v provide an auto atically releasable drivingconnection between latively-revoluble members.

One of the objects of the invention is to pro- -vide positive, releasable, connection between the driving and driven members (usually shafts) through the agency of rollers,w hile avoiding orpreventing frictional or sliding engagement of the rollers with each other or with the other elements of the structure, such as frequently occurs in devices of this class. and tends to cause wear and fiat areas on the rollers.

Another object of the invention is to provide for or compel true rolling movement of the rollers comparable to that in the roller bearingwhile the clutch is inl its free'or overrunning condition,

A further object of the invention is to utilizetheroller clutch as an anti-friction bearing relatively supporting the driving and driven members while they rotate relatively in one direction.

Still another object of the invention .is to proe vide a large number ofnlocking-rolls in proportion to the radialdimensi n ofthe clutch, and in g5 other ways to increase the emciency or certainty of action, and durability of these devices..

These and other Objects of the invention will become apparent upon consideration of the foll lowing' specication, when read with reference' so to the accompanying drawing wherein is illustrated the preferred embodiment ofthe invention. It is lto be expressly understood, however, that the drawing is for the purpose of illustration only, and is not designed as a definition of $5 the limits of the invention, reference being had for this purpose to the appended claims.

In the drawing.

mg. 1 is s longitudinal section 'of s clutch structure, embodying the invention in one form;

40 Fig, 2 is 'a transverse section, along line 2-2 of Fig. 1, showing the roller clutch in active, or driving condition; a

lIl'ig. 3 is a similar section, 'showing the in unlocked, overrunning, or free-wheeling position; Fig. 4 is a transverse section taken along line l-lofll'lmi; v Fig. 5 is a fragmentary perspective vie'w of certain-detalls: and 4 I Fig. 8 is a perspective view of a detail.

50 Thewillbedescrlbedasf'unction-` ing in the power-n line of a motor vehicle as a free-wheeling device, which will also enable its utility and operation in 'other uses or adaptations to be readily'understood by skilled persons.

As used in amotor vehicle, the shaft I, identiiled for the present as the driving member, is connected to or may actually be the rearward portion of the driven shaft of the change-speed gearing, when the free-wheeling devicev is placed -at the rear of the gear-box, or it may be the rear 5 end'of the driven shaft of the main clutch when the de'vice is placed between the clutch and gearbox. In the former instances, the shaft during forward driving will always rotate in the clockwise direction as viewed from the front Jof the 10 vehicle (or from the left of Fig. 1) and as also indicated by arrows in the drawing: and in the latter instance, that is, when locatedlietween the clutch and the change-speed gearing, this 15 shaft always rotates inthe right-hand or clockwis direction during either forward or backward driving, in accordance with standard motor vehicle practice. The driven shaft 2 is in axial functions of the shafts are usually interchangeable, since by proper designing with due regard to directions of rotation and other considerations.

either one may bethedriver, and therefore different parts of the roller and positive clutch devices may be assembled on either one vof the shafts. Further reference will not be made to such changes or variations,'which may readily be understood by skilled persons.

In the present instance, shaft I, being considered the driving shaft, extends within a drum or sleeve l, which is keyed or lotherwise suitably connected to the driven shaft 2. This sleeve has an inner cylindrical race surface l for a sexies of rollers 5, which are maintained in the desired spaced relation by a cage 6 which may be in 45 v accordancewith-standard roller bearing practice.

These rollers are held against endwise displacement by annular shoulders 'l at opposite ends of the race surface. While the race 4 is an inner surface in respect to sleeve 3 'in which it is formed `50 or located, it is an outer race and locking surface in relation to the rollers. Shaft I has an an# nular series of cam clement, or cam faces, l, corresponding in number to the number of rollers 1 l.. lis-shown by way of preference, these cam rollers. These are in a generally cylindrical cage orgaacer ring II,

l:sus

which is revoluble about or upon shaft I-and is restrained against end motion thereon as`by snap rings I2. engaged in annular channels in the shaft The cage. or wedge-spacer II, desirably is of such length that it extends beyond the ends ofi guide slOts I0 in each direction, in Order t0 pro- ,vide on the outer, cylindrical face of the spacer sleeve, suitable roller race-surface (which with respect to the rollers is the inner race, complemental tothe raoel in thedriven drum). This race-surface includes circular end-zones 4l of vuninterrupted cylindrical contour, with which end-portions. of the cylindrical roller surfaces engage; so that while the intermediate portions ofthe roller surfaces pass over the outer ends of the wedge-guiding apertures of the cage, any bumping on the aperture-edges is prevented.

For convenience, in practicability of assembly,

'especially when, asshown. the cams l are cut integrally in the shaft, and project outward from the main Vshaft surface, the ,wedge-spacer sleeve has at one end a bore 4I of diameter providing a'running flton the shaft, and from this a counterborel! extends to the other end of the sleeve. this cotmterbore being of radius slightly greater than that ofthe cam-crests: thus permitting the sleeve to be slipped over the cams in one direction. The counterbored end of the sleeve is revolubly supported on the shaft by a separate end plate I1 having a circular lip or shoulder Il fitting in to the counterbore. Plate I1 may be connected in any suitable way, to rotate with the spacer sleeve II.

Ribs or shallow flanges are preferably provided at the ends of the iner race surface, cooperating with ends of the rollers to limit or prevent relative end motion. One of these flanges I3 is formed in the sleeve II, and at the other end of the race-surface, the projecting margin of plate I1 acts'as a thrust-flange.

Tile outer end faces Il of the wedge members 9areofcam,angularorwedgeform.extending angularly slightly outward in the rearward direction (with respect to the normal direction Y.of

-rotation as indicated by the arrows) to exert a wedging or locking action on the rollers I. The inward ends of these wedge members have a curvature conforming to that of the cam faces l.

To provide for retention of the wedge pieces in inward position in certain cases, they desirably have at' their inward and forward edges (also with respect to 'the normal direction of rotation) shallow ilanges or ribs Il to engage in comple- "mental channels or II at the roots of the radial or shoulder portions of the cam formations.

Whenever the driving shaft I tends to turn in the indicated (right-hand) direction while the driven shaft 2 is stationary or tends to turn in the same direction at a slower speed, the ,inertia of the ring or wedge spacer sleeve II, or'the drag effect imparted to it by the rollers l, causes the ring to lag or slip revolubly rearward with relation to the shaft, carrying the 4wedge members in the same relative direction, and in this moveslots or socket formations' Il ment the cam faces I act on the wedge members to move them voutwardly to the position shown in Fig. 2, wherein their angular or locking faces I3 project outward from' the cylindrical or race -surface of sleeve II and engage simultaneously with inward faces of the respective rollers on lines adjacent the normal lines of roller contact with the sleeve surface, but angularly offset; thus producing a powerful wedging action upon the rollers and clamping the rollers between them and the .for any other reason the driven shaft tends to runat a higher relative speed in the indicated direction, the first effect is to cause forward -movenent .and rotation of all the rollers about their own axes, the rollers in .eifect rolling off of the wedging faces and engaging the cylindrical race surfaces 4l of sleeve II and rolling thereon and on 'the outer race surface I in a normal, roller-bearing fashion. After a slight forward movement, the rollers encounter the projecting ends of the nearest adjacent wedging members 'and by rolling or pushing action move them and cage II rotarily forward clockwise, in relation to shaft I and the cams, whereuponthe wedging members'move r are pushed inward by the rollers as their inner end-faces slide along the inwardly sloping cam faces l, and finally the -retaining ribs or flanges Il of the wedge members are seated in the undercuts or channels I5 in the roots of the cams and are thus restrained against outward displacement by centrifugal force.

A `The driven member is thus freed from the driving member and will run freely faster than the driving member, thus providing, for example, in a motor vehicle adaptation for free-wheeling or coasting of the vehicle under momentum, or by force of gravity on a down-grade, while the engine ruins' at a slower relative speed. During this free-wheeling or overrunning movement of the driven member, the rollers rotate with a true rolling action between theinner and outer races, consisting of the outer surface of sleeve II and the race surface' I of sleeve 3, without any tendency to stick or to remain in relatively non-rotative positions or condition as frequently occurs in roller clutcheslof this general class, and which, by such non-rotary or sliding movement, wear in such a manner as to cause flat spots or areas which interfere with proper locking action, and -are subject to other diihculties or disadvantages,

as well understood by persons skilled in the art without further explanation.

' If in certain cases there is a tendency toward uncertain locking lor unlocking action, caused by failure of the wedge spacing sleeve II to rotate in relation to shaft I, this diillculty may be overcme and positive locking and unlocking insured,

by applying a moderate frictional drag between shaft 2,' or its sleeve l, or drum 2li, and sleeve Il.

'Such drag meansis sufficiently exempliiled in and so practically insures the desired movement of the sleeve'and the wedging members, in relation to the cam faces 8. in a locking or releasing action.

While the locking or wedging members 9 have been referred to as substantially radially-acting members, in a preferred embodiment. as shown, these elements' do not move in precisely radial planes, but by reason of thelocation or direction of their guiding slots or sockets l0, are-caused to move in non-radial planeshich are, substan tially perpendicular to the camifacesl, in any of the rotative positions of the spacing sleeve il and of the wedging members.

Fig. 1 also shows a positively acting clutchl Aor jaws 3l adapted to engage with similar teeth or jaw formations 32 at one end of sleeve 3.

There is thus provided a clutch which is capable of locking the driving and driven members together when it is desired to eliminate or lock out the free-wheeling action.

It is to'- be understood Athat various other I changes may be made in the form, details of construction, arrangement of the parts and the uses to which they are applied, without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the appended claims. f

What is claimed is:

1. An overrunning clutch comprising a. driving member, 4a driven member, rollers intermediate the members, vwedging elementsl intermediate one of the members and the rollers, cams acting upon rotation of the driving member in one predetermined direction only to move the wedging elements substantially radially and engage them with the rollers and effect a locking action of the rollers between the wedging elements and one of said members, and means integral with the wedging elements for holding them in contact with the cams during overrunning of the driven member.

2. An overrunning clutch comprising a driving member, a driven member, a roller race on one of the members, a wedge guide relatively revoluble on the other member, wedge elements supported and guided for substantially radial movement by said guide, and rollers traveling on said race and adapted to cooperate with thewedge elements in a driving-locking action.

3. An overrunning clutch comprising a driving member, a driven member, a roller race on one of the members, a Wedge guide relatively revoluble on the other member, wedge elements supported and guided for substantially radial movement'by said guide, rollers traveling on said race and adapted to cooperate with the wedge elements in a driving-locking action, and a cage'spacing the i rollers. f

5. An overrunning clutch comprising a driving member, a driven member, a roll race surface on one of the members, a wedge guide relatively revoluble on the other member and 'having a roller race surface, wedge elementsv supported and guided for substantially radial movement by said guide, and spaced rollers traveling between said race surfaces and adapted'to cooperate with the wedge elements in a driving-locking action.

6. An overrunning clutch comprising a driving member, a driven member, a roll race surface on one of the members, a wedge guide relatively revoluble on the other member and having a roller race surface, wedge elements supported and I guided for substantially radial movment by said guide, spaced rollers traveling between said race .surfaces and adapted to cooperate with the wedge elements in a driving-locking action, and cam elements-rotating with said member on which the wedge guide is revoluble and cooperating with the wedge elements.

7. The structure dened in claim 2 with the addition of frictionalzkmeans' acting between one of said members and said wedge guide, tending to move it rotarily in relation to 'the other one of said members.

' 8. 'I'he structure defined in claim 3 with the addition of frictional means acting between one of said members and said wedge guide, vtending to move it rotarily in relation to the other one of said members. l

9. The structure defined )in claim 4 with the addition of frictional means acting between one of said members and said wedge guide, tending to move itl rotarily in relation to the other one of saidv members. 10. A free-wheeling or overrunning clutch comprising a driving member, a driven member, cam

elements on one of said members, a spacing and `race sleeve revoluble on said member and having a roller race surface, a plurality of substantially radially acting wedging 4elements spaced and guided by said sleeve and cooperating with the cam elements and also having wedging faces,

the other of said members having a roller race surface, and'spaced rollers arranged to rotate on and between said race surfaces and to cooperate with the wedging faces of said wedging elements in a releasable locking action.

11. A free-wheeling or overrunning clutch compsing a driving member, a .driven member, cam elementsion one of said members, a spacing and race sleeve revoluble on said member and having a'roller4 race surface, a plurality of substantially radially acting wedging elements, spaced and.

guided by said sleeve and cooperating with the cam elements and also having wedging faces, the other of said members vhaving a roller race surface, and spaced rollers arranged to rotate on and between said race surfaces and to cooperate with the wedging faces of said wedging elements in a releasable locking action, the wedging elements and one of said members having cooperating'retaining means at times preventing radial displacement of the wedging elements by centrifugal force.

12. A free-wheeling or overrunning clutch comprising a driving member, a driven member, cam elements onl one of said members, a spacing and race sleeve revoluble on said member and having a roller race surface, a plurality of substantially radially acting. wedging elements spaced and guided by said sleeve and `cooperating with the cam elements and also having wedging faces, the other of said members having a roller race surreleasable locking'action, and frictional means acting between onek of said members and. said -sleeve to insure initiation of a locking or unlocking action. .i

13. A free-wheeling or overrunning clutch co prising a driving. shaft, a driven shaft, cam eie- 'ments on the driving shaft, a spacing and race sleeve revoluble on the driving shaft and having a roller race surface, a plurality of substantially radially acting wedge members spaced and guided by said sleeve and cooperating with the cam elements and also having wedging faces, the driven shaft having a roller race surface, and spaced rollers arranged to rotate on and between said race surfaces and to cooperate with the wedging faces of said wedging members in a reieasable locking action.

14. A free-wheeling or ovemmning clutch comprising a driving shaft, a driven shaft, cam elements on the'gdriving shaft, a spacing and race sleeve revoluble `on the driving shaft and having a roller race surface, a plurality of substantially radially acting wedging members spaced and guided by said sleeve and cooperating with the cam elements and also having wedging faces, the driven shaft having a roller race surface, and spaced rollers arranged to rotate on and between said race surfaces and to cooperate with the wedging faces of said wedging members in areleasable locking action, the wedging elements having retaining flanges and the driving member having channels to receive the flanges and prevent radial displacement of the wedging elements by centrifugal force.

15. A free-wheeling or overrunning clutch analyse comprising a driving shaft,a driven-shaft, cam

elements on the driving shaft, a spacing and race sleeve revoluble on the driving shaft and having a roller race surface, a plurality of substantially radially acting wedging members spaced and guided by said sleeve and cooperating with the cam elements and also having wedging faces, the driven shaft having a roller race surface. spaced rollers arranged to rotate on andbetween said race surfaces and to cooperate ywith the wedging faces of said wedging members in a releasabie locking action, and frictional means acting between the driven member and said spacing sleeve to insure initiation of a` locking or unlockingaction.

16. The structure dened in claim 11 with the addition that the spacing sleeve overiies and extendsV beyond .the camelements .and its race surface has circularly uninterrupted end zones engaged by end-portions of the roller surfaces.

17. The structure defined in claim 4 with the addition that the wedge guide overlies and ex, tends beyond the cam elements and has a rollerrace surface with circularly uninterrupted end zones engaged by end-portions of the roller surfaces.

18. An overrunning clutch comprising a drivingv member, a driven member, rollers intermediate the members, wedging elements intermediate one of the members and the rollers, and means 'acting upon rotation of the driving member in onedirection only to eifect a locking action of the rollers between the wedging elements and one of said members, and means integral with the wedging. elements for holding them in contact with said rst-named means during overrunning of the driven member. 

